Music muscles - finger exercise device to be used while practicing any musical instrument that requires the use of the fingers or any other activity that requires the use of the fingers such as typing, sports that require the use of the hands, or hand, wrist and finger rehabilitation

ABSTRACT

The Abstract of the Disclosure is a Finger exercise device to be worn while practicing any activity requiring the use of the hands and fingers for the purposes of Increasing finger speed, agility and grip strength for musicians, athletes and patients requiring finger, hand, wrist or forearm rehabilitation.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Provisional Patent Application No. 62/462,304 Filing or 371(c) Date Feb. 22, 2017

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

The invention relates to devices for exercising the hands, forearms, wrists and fingers while practicing a specific activity using your fingers.

Various finger exercise devices are available on the market today but none exist that are effectively utilized while actually practicing a musical instrument that requires the use of the fingers or any other activity that requires the use of the fingers such as typing, sports that utilize the hands and general rehabilitation for the hands, wrists, forearms or fingers. Furthermore, most are complex and are simply not designed to be utilized while performing or practicing the specific activity using your fingers.

While current products may increase finger strength, the pattern of exercising does not exactly match the nature of finger movement while playing the musical instrument, typing, or other activity utilizing the fingers limiting the development of increased muscle, tendon and ligament strength, speed, accuracy and agility by only allowing the movement of fingers to the path allowed by the device. In addition, most devices on the market today involve some type of elastic wrapped around the hands, wrist or fingers restricting blood flow and providing discomfort to the fingers.

In this Utility Patent, “Instrument” refers to any device that is exercised by the fingers such as the guitar, piano, trumpet, banjo, violin, saxophone, flute, computer keyboard, typewriter, etc.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This device is a collection of firm, yet slightly flexible, varying sized Rings that will be placed on each finger used during the activity of exercising the instrument with a “Rubber Band” like tension device comprised of a serious of seamless interconnected loops placed over each Ring to provide resistance to the fingers for the purposes of exercising the fingers, hand, wrist and forearm while practicing the Instrument, sports or rehabilitation activity and placed between the Proximal Interphalangeal Joint and the Metacarpophalangeal Joint of each finger. Each Ring will contain a slotted groove in the center and around the entire circumference to securely hold the “Rubber Band” like tension device in place while practicing the instrument, sports or rehabilitation activity. Multiple rings may be stacked together on each finger to provide additional levels of resistance.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1, FIG. 2, FIGS. 3 and 42C shows the fully assembled device for Five, Four and Three Finger Instruments respectively installed on the fingers in the proper location. 42C shows the case where multiple rings may be stacked together on each finger to provide additional levels of resistance.

FIG. 4 and FIG. 34 shows the Front view of the Ring.

FIG. 5, FIG. 6, FIG. 7, FIG. 8, FIG. 35, FIG. 36, FIG. 37 and FIG. 38 show orthogonal views of the Ring from the Top, Sides and Bottom perspective respectively. FIG. 35, FIG. 36, FIG. 37 and FIG. 38 shows the case where multiple rings may be stacked together to provide additional levels of resistance.

FIG. 9, FIG. 10, FIG. 11, FIG. 12, FIG. 39, FIG. 40 and FIG. 41 show side views of the Ring from the Top, Sides and Bottom perspective respectively. FIG. 39, FIG. 40 and FIG. 41 shows the case where multiple rings may be stacked together to provide additional levels of resistance.

FIG. 13 and FIG. 14 show front and orthogonal views respectively of the “Rubber Band” like tension device that will be used for 3 finger Instruments that will be inserted into the grooves of the Rings.

FIG. 15 and FIG. 16 show the same as FIG. 13 and FIG. 14 but are slightly thicker to provide more tension than FIG. 13 and FIG. 14.

FIG. 17 and FIG. 18 show the same as FIG. 15 and FIG. 16 but are slightly thicker to provide more tension than FIG. 15 and FIG. 16.

FIG. 19 and FIG. 20 show front and orthogonal views respectively of the “Rubber Band” like tension device that will be used for 4 finger Instruments that will be inserted into the grooves of the Rings.

FIG. 21 and FIG. 22 show the same as FIG. 19 and FIG. 20 but are slightly thicker to provide more tension than FIG. 19 and FIG. 20.

FIG. 23 and FIG. 24 show the same as FIG. 21 and FIG. 22 but are slightly thicker to provide more tension than FIG. 21 and FIG. 22.

FIG. 25 and FIG. 26 show front and orthogonal views respectively of the “Rubber Band” like tension device that will be used for 5 finger Instruments that will be inserted into the grooves of the Rings.

FIG. 27 and FIG. 28 show the same as FIG. 25 and FIG. 26 but are slightly thicker to provide more tension than FIG. 25 and FIG. 26.

FIG. 29 and FIG. 30 show the same as FIG. 27 and FIG. 28 but are slightly thicker to provide more tension than FIG. 27 and FIG. 28.

FIG. 31A shows the Rings positioned prior to the fingers being inserted for 3 finger instruments.

FIG. 31B shows the “Rubber Band” like Tension band prior to being inserted into the grooves of the rings as well as the Rings properly positioned on the fingers.

FIG. 31C shows the fully assembled device for 3 finger instruments with both the Rings and the “Rubber Like” Tension band properly positioned.

FIG. 32A shows the Rings positioned prior to the fingers being inserted for 4 finger instruments.

FIG. 32B shows the “Rubber Band” like Tension band prior to being inserted into the grooves of the rings as well as the Rings properly positioned on the fingers.

FIG. 32C shows the fully assembled device for 4 finger instruments with both the Rings and the “Rubber Like” Tension band properly positioned.

FIG. 33A and FIG. 42A shows the Rings positioned prior to the fingers being inserted for 5 finger instruments. FIG. 42A shows the case where multiple rings may be stacked together to provide additional levels of resistance.

FIG. 33B and FIG. 42B shows the “Rubber Band” like Tension band prior to being inserted into the grooves of the rings as well as the Rings properly positioned on the fingers. FIG. 42B shows the case where multiple rings may be stacked together to provide additional levels of resistance.

FIG. 33C and FIG. 42C shows the fully assembled device for 5 finger instruments with both the Rings and the “Rubber Like” Tension band properly positioned. FIG. 42C shows the case where multiple rings may be stacked together on each finger to provide additional levels of resistance.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION

The present invention is a collection of collection of firm, yet slightly flexible rings that will be sized and placed on each finger. Next, a “Rubber Band” like tension device comprised of a serious of seamless interconnected loops will be placed over each Ring to provide positive and negative resistance to the fingers for the purposes of exercising the fingers, hand, wrist and forearm while practicing the Instrument, sports or rehabilitation activity. It is important to note that each Ring is designed and intended to be placed between the Proximal Interphalangeal Joint and the Metacarpophalangeal Joint of each finger. Each Ring will contain a slotted groove in the center and around the entire circumference to securely hold the “Rubber Band” like tension device in place during the practicing session. The device applies to Five, Four and Three Finger Instruments. FIG. 1, FIG. 42C, FIG. 2 AND FIG. 3 shows the fully assembled device for Five, Four and Three Finger Instruments respectively installed on the fingers in the proper location. FIG. 42C shows the case where multiple rings may be stacked together on each finger to provide additional levels of resistance. Once a Ring is properly installed on each finger and the interconnected seamless “Rubber Band” like tension device is inserted around each Ring, the user can begin practicing the Instrument or perform any activity such as sports or rehabilitation for the purposes of exercising hand, forearm, wrist or finger activities. The device will put tension on each finger utilized during the practice activity for the purposes of increasing finger strength, speed, agility and accuracy. Because the device is worn during the practice session, each finger will be exercised in a manner which actually mimics the movement of muscles, tendons and ligaments during the actual playing of the Instrument. The product will consist of multiple Rings with varying Diameters to adequately fit each Finger utilized. Multiple “Rubber Band” like tension devices will be included with varying levels of elasticity to give the user the ability to gradually increase resistance as they improve at their Instrument.

FIG. 4 and FIG. 34 shows the Front view of the Ring. The illustration references multiple Ring Sizes with varying diameters to fit all common Finger Sizes. The sides of the rings will have parallel cut on each side to allow rings to move more freely between fingers when exercising the instrument so as not to interfere with the practicing session. The bottom of the Ring will also have a cut out/slice so as not to interfere with the actual Instrument that is being used. The ring is intended to be inserted on the finger with the Rounded/non-sliced top portion on the top side of the hand with the bottom/sliced side on the Palm side of the hand.

FIG. 5, FIG. 6, FIG. 7, FIG. 8, FIG. 35, FIG. 36, FIG. 37 and FIG. 38 show orthogonal views of the Ring from the Top, Sides and Bottom perspective respectively. FIG. 35, FIG. 36, FIG. 37 and FIG. 3 shows the case where multiple rings may be stacked together to provide additional levels of resistance. Each Ring will contain a slotted groove in the center and around the entire circumference of the Ring to securely hold the “Rubber Band” like tension device in place. The Rings will be made of a firm, yet slightly flexible material to allow the Ring to slightly bend in the direction that the “Rubber Band” like tension device moves as the user is practicing with the device allowing the tension device to stay securely in place.

FIG. 9, FIG. 10, FIG. 11, FIG. 12, FIG. 39, FIG. 40 and FIG. 41 show side views of the Ring from the Top, Sides and Bottom perspective respectively. FIG. 39, FIG. 40 and FIG. 41 shows the case where multiple rings may be stacked together to provide additional levels of resistance.

FIG. 13 and FIG. 14 show front and orthogonal views respectively of the “Rubber Band” like tension device that will be used for 3 finger Instruments that will be inserted into the grooves of the Rings. FIG. 15 and FIG. 16 show the same as FIG. 13 and FIG. 14 but are slightly thicker to provide more tension than FIG. 13 and FIG. 14. FIG. 17 and FIG. 18 show the same as FIG. 15 and FIG. 16 but are slightly thicker to provide more tension than FIG. 15 and FIG. 16.

FIG. 19 and FIG. 20 show front and orthogonal views respectively of the “Rubber Band” like tension device that will be used for 4 finger Instruments that will be inserted into the grooves of the Rings. FIG. 21 and FIG. 22 show the same as FIG. 19 and FIG. 20 but are slightly thicker to provide more tension than FIG. 19 and FIG. 20. FIG. 23 and FIG. 24 show the same as FIG. 21 and FIG. 22 but are slightly thicker to provide more tension than FIG. 21 and FIG. 22.

FIG. 25 and FIG. 26 show front and orthogonal views respectively of the “Rubber Band” like tension device that will be used for 5 finger Instruments that will be inserted into the grooves of the Rings. FIG. 27 and FIG. 28 show the same as FIG. 25 and FIG. 26 but are slightly thicker to provide more tension than FIG. 25 and FIG. 26. FIG. 29 and FIG. 30 show the same as FIG. 27 and FIG. 28 but are slightly thicker to provide more tension than FIG. 27 and FIG. 28.

FIG. 31A shows the Rings positioned prior to the fingers being inserted for 3 finger instruments. FIG. 31B shows the “Rubber Band” like Tension band prior to being inserted into the grooves of the rings as well as the Rings properly positioned on the fingers. FIG. 31C shows the fully assembled device for 3 finger instruments with both the Rings and the “Rubber Like” Tension band properly positioned.

FIG. 32A shows the Rings positioned prior to the fingers being inserted for 4 finger instruments. FIG. 32B shows the “Rubber Band” like Tension band prior to being inserted into the grooves of the rings as well as the Rings properly positioned on the fingers. FIG. 32C shows the fully assembled device for 4 finger instruments with both the Rings and the “Rubber Like” Tension band properly positioned.

FIG. 33A and FIG. 42A shows the Rings positioned prior to the fingers being inserted for 5 finger instruments. FIG. 33B and FIG. 42B shows the “Rubber Band” like Tension band prior to being inserted into the grooves of the rings as well as the Rings properly positioned on the fingers. FIG. 33C and FIG. 42C shows the fully assembled device for 5 finger instruments with both the Rings and the “Rubber Like” Tension band properly positioned. FIG. 42A, FIG. 42B, FIG. 42C shows the case where multiple rings may be stacked together to provide additional levels of resistance. 

1. A finger exercise device that is a collection of firm, yet slightly flexible, varying sized Rings that will be placed on each finger with a “Rubber Band” like tension device comprised of a serious of seamless interconnected loops placed over and into the groove of each Ring to provide positive and negative resistance to the fingers for the purposes of exercising the fingers, hand, wrist and forearm while practicing any Instrument or sports utilizing the hands or performing general hand, wrist, forearm of finger rehabilitation, and placed between the Proximal Interphalangeal Joint and the Metacarpophalangeal Joint of each finger. FIG. 1, FIG. 2, FIG. 3, FIG. 42C
 2. FIG.
 4. The method of manufacturing the finger exercise device referenced in claim 1 where the Ring is specifically designed with the sides of the rings having parallel cut outs/slices on each side to allow rings to move more freely between fingers when exercising the instrument or performing the sports or rehabilitation activity so as not to interfere with the practicing session. The bottom of the Ring will also have a cut out/slice so as not to interfere with the actual Instrument or sports related necessities such as footballs, baseballs or basketballs that are being used for the particular practicing session. The ring is intended to be inserted on the finger with the Rounded/non-sliced top portion on the top side of the hand with the bottom/sliced side on the Palm side of the hand. FIG. 5, FIG. 6 FIG. 7, FIG.
 8. Multiple rings may be stacked together on each finger to allow for additional bands to be placed in the grooves to provide additional levels of resistance. FIG. 35, FIG. 36, FIG. 37, FIG.
 38. Each Ring will contain a slotted groove in the center and around the entire circumference of the Ring to securely hold the “Rubber Band” like tension device in place as well as have varying diameters to fit all finger sizes. The Rings will be made of a firm, yet slightly flexible material to allow the Ring to slightly bend in the direction that the “Rubber Band” like tension device moves as the user is practicing with the device allowing the tension device to stay securely in place. Furthermore, the ring will not inhibit blood flow/circulation as what occurs with other “elastic type” only devices.
 3. “Rubber Band” like tension device comprised of a serious of seamless interconnected loops that is placed over each Ring in the slotted grooves to provide resistance to the fingers for the purposes of exercising the fingers, hand, wrist and forearm while practicing the Instrument. The “Rubber Band” like tension device will include multiple thicknesses to provide varying levels of resistance as well as variations of three, four and five interconnected loops for varying finger instruments. Because the “Rubber Band” like tension device surrounds the firm, yet slightly flexible rings as described in claim 2, blood flow or blood circulation is not inhibited as what occurs with elastic only devices. FIG. 13 through FIG.
 30. 4. The method of using the finger exercise device referenced in claims 1, 2 and 3 for the purposes of increasing Finger Strength, Speed, Agility and endurance while practicing any musical instrument requiring the use of the fingers such as Guitar, Piano, Bass, Trumpet, Banjo, Saxophone, Flute, Piccolo, or any other activity requiring the use of the fingers such as typing or general Finger, Hand, Wrist or Forearm Rehabilitation as well as sports that utilize that hands such as Football, Baseball, Basketball or Hockey.
 5. The method of using the finger exercise device referenced in claims 1, 2, 3 and 4 whereas the varying size rings, once properly sized to each finger, can remain constant while the practitioner can use varying amounts of resistance using the multiple sized “Rubber Band” like tension devices.
 6. The placement of the device between the Proximal Interphalangeal Joint and the Metacarpophalangeal Joint of each finger in conjunction with the rings on each finger surrounded and interconnected with the seamless “Rubber Band” like tension device allows for positive and negative resistance in any and all directions that the fingers travel when performing a specific activity. Because the device is worn during the instrument practice session, each finger will be exercised in a manner which actually mimics the movement of muscles, tendons and ligaments during the actual playing of the Instrument. FIG. 1, FIG. 2, FIG.
 3. FIG. 42C. 